The future of home-grown innovative care for patients is secure with the appointment of two new researchers

Published: 1 October 2020

Congratulations to Becky Stride (CT radiographer) and Abi McWhinney (community midwife), the first Trust staff to be awarded the new 70@70 Research Associateships.

This award is a unique opportunity for nurses, midwives and Allied Health Professionals from the Trust to take the first steps to becoming a clinical academic.

The new research associates are an example of the Trust supporting research activity and developing our healthcare professionals as researchers. They will help lead innovation and improvements in patient care, treatments and effectiveness.

Becky and Abi will learn about clinical research trials and supporting the Trust’s urgent public health studies into COVID-19. They will work on a chosen project in their roles and plan their clinical academic career with the support of the R&D Team and Torbay Clinical School.

They join a growing number of TSDFT staff driving excellence in healthcare by blending their clinical expertise with academic training. For more information about the 70@70 Research Associateship, please contact Kathryn Bamforth (Clinical Research Team Leader): kathryn.bamforth@nhs.net

Becky, appointed for 12 months, said: “I will gain a solid foundation in research methods and learn how these affect our work in radiology from the Research and Development Team at Torbay Hospital. Through the mentorship provided by the 70@70 Research Associateship, I will make contacts with experts undertaking their own research and involved in research within Radiology and the Trust who can guide my progression.”

She plans to start a Master’s Degree in Computed Tomography to learn more about her work in radiography, before beginning a doctorate.

Becky added: “I will use the 70@70 Research Associateship to take the first steps to becoming a clinical academic which will help improve everyone with service delivery and patient care.

“I would like to become more of expert in my field, constantly looking for innovative ways to improve patient pathways, while nurturing an environment of personal and professional development for myself and colleagues.”

Abi, appointed for six months, said: “The 70@70 Research Associateship has come at an ideal time in my career. The clinical experience I have gained in a community and acute setting will be invaluable in informing any research I undertake.

She plans to apply for a pre-doctoral pathway funding with a research project in midwifery.

She said: “I’m particularly interested in a project on health inequalities through pregnancy, especially when policy is informed by research which has been extrapolated from non-pregnant populations.

“Midwives who advocate for the women they care for are known to help influence health for women and new babies. This is reflected in the Trust’s implementation of the national policy of women having continuity of carer.

“As a community midwife I may influence a few women’s lives, but through research and advancing knowledge within my clinical field, I hope to influence care for hundreds of thousands of women. It’s this prospect that most excites me.”

For more information about the 70@70 Research Associateship, please contact Kathryn Bamforth (Clinical Research Team Leader).